1 John 2 Bible Study: Chapter Two of John’s letter begins with a sense of danger, John is troubled: “My little children, I WRITE TO YOU THAT YOU SIN NOT.” He’s possibly writing even as much as 100 years after the birth of Christ, so he’s an old man – which entitles him to address his readers as ‘little children’… But maybe here he’s also addressing some who are still ‘spiritually children’. What he says relates to anyone of us today, but in this case I am sensing John is writing particularly to Jewish people who had become followers of Christ; Jews, who when they believed, had accepted something that had been ‘hidden’ from them in their Jewish Law/Scriptures, something so completely new to them, they are now finding it hard to fully accept, and that is: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, HIS SACRIFICIAL DEATH HAS PAID THE FULL PRICE OF SIN!
Light and darkness, sin and forgiveness
1 John 1&2 Bible Study: We’re going through very difficult times worldwide; it needs much prayer. It’s even hard for us to look at the news. Why is there so much senseless violence and war? Satan is still in control, he’s still prince of this world – and that’s why God had to send His Son to die for us, to break the curse that’s on us. Thankfully, those of us who have come to Christ know that Peace which the world so desperately needs. Our world needs Jesus!
I believe God
Acts Bible Study Chapters 24-27: These chapters cover Paul’s trials, his defence of his faith, and the hardships he faces as he heads to Rome to appeal his case before Caesar. 'I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.' (Acts 27.22-25, NIV.)
Did you receive the Holy Spirit?
Acts Bible Study Chapter 19: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” “No”, they replied, “we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Well then, how were you baptised?” asked Paul. “We were baptised with John’s baptism,” they replied.
“John’s baptism was a baptism to show a change of heart,” Paul explained, “but he always told the people that they must believe in the one who should come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
When these men heard this they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, and then, when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak with tongues and the inspiration of prophets. (There were about twelve of them in all.) (Acts 19.1-7, PHILLIPS)
Salvation by grace
Acts Bible Study Chapter 15: For by Grace we are saved, through faith and not of ourselves, a Gift of God, not of works, so that we cannot boast, (Ephesians 2.8-9). Our salvation is by faith alone, nothing else. SAVED by FAITH. Not by religious observance, tradition or any ordinances of the Church, or by what we have done. We are SAVED by FAITH IN CHRIST! We receive salvation as a free gift! A GIFT! And like every gift, you can accept or refuse. It’s SO SIMPLE. Salvation is GIVEN to us! A GIFT from GOD OUR FATHER, and we receive it THROUGH CHRIST by faith alone!
Made righteous through faith evidenced by works
James Bible Study Chapter 2: “Abraham believed God, and it was [j]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:23-26, NKJV)
Jesus ever lives to intercede
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 7. 'Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.' (Hebrews 7.22-25, NIV.) The Old Testament high priest entered the presence of God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation's sins; whereas Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us. Christ's continuous presence in Heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven. This wonderful assurance frees us from guilt and fear.
The superiority of Jesus
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 1. The first chapter of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. In the past God spoke to His people by various means: Isaiah, in visions; Jacob, in dreams; whilst to Abraham and Moses, God spoke personally. But now God speaks through Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment and culmination of God’s revelation. When we know Jesus, we have all we need to be saved and have a perfect relationship with God.
Don't shipwreck your faith
“Fight the good fight, hold on to faith and a good conscience - because some have rejected these and shipwrecked their faith.” Chapter 2 begins, “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” Paul makes it quite clear that the end goal of our prayer is Salvation! So often we get away from the basic truth of the Gospel, which is to bring men to Salvation.